A federal judge ruled Wednesday afternoon that a secretly recorded conversation between reputed Cicero mob boss Michael Sarno and Outlaw motorcycle member Mark Polchan allegedly involving loansharking can be used as evidence in the upcoming trial of the two men.
U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman decided to allow in the April 6, 2007, conversation between the men, over the objections of defense attorneys.
Guzman decided that the prosecution's theory that the chatter is about juice loans is certainly reasonable, though the defense can argue otherwise.
At one point Sarno appears to talk about setting loan terms.
"You could give it to 'em at 2 1/2 points and uh, make them responsible for it," Sarno says to Polchan, according to the government transcript.
The defense argues that the conversation appears to be about something in future and is unclear if it ever even happened.
The trial starts Nov. 9.
"leave the dun....take the cannolies"!!!
Hey Steve,
Will the government be posting the evidence, audio tapes to be used in the trail? Similar to the site used on the family secrets trail. I looked on line but did not find anything.
Has a witness list been issued yet? Do you expect to be posting it?
Thinking about going are they still on track for jury selection to begin on November 9, 2010. How long do you think the trial will take?
Look forward to your updated, any news on a family secrets 2 trail
Thanks
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you on this. I don't know if the government will be posting material, but we will likely be posting the more interesting stuff. Trial could take about a month, with the government calling 80 to 100 witnesses.
Its funny you dont here anything about this trial or events about the outfit, because of all the election nonsense. Now you guys are going to crucify Mike Sarno and convict him before he gets done with his case, he does not have a chance with all the press coming up when the trial starts next week. you guys can't without help from the media.Like I Always say the real crooks are the politicans.
I hope Mike gets A fair trial!!!
Steve Warmbir, do you have a comment about this, what do you think
really and not some mumbo jumbo answer.'
STEVE WARMBIR COMMENTS: You've haven't heard a lot about the trial for a few reasons.
1. Unlike the Family Secrets case, no mob murders are alleged in the case.
2. The trial hasn't started yet, so there's not much to write about.
3. A lot of the documents have been filed under seal, which means reporters don't have access to them. So there's less to write about.
It's not up to me to ensure that Mr. Sarno and the defendants get a fair trial. It's up to the judge. He'll ask all the prospective jurors whether they've read any stories about the case or about any of the defendants. I've covered criminal trials, off an on, for two decades. Time and again, few people have read the stories in the newspaper, whether it's the Sun-Times, the Tribune or the Daily Herald. So, let me suggest, the impact of the media is overstated. Also, the judge is experienced and perfectly capable of finding jurors who have little to no clue about the case.
You seem to have your mind made up that reporters covering the case "are going to crucify Mike Sarno and convict him before he gets done with his case," so I doubt there's little I can say to change your opinion. Am I and other reporters going to report on the government's allegations against him? Sure, that's our job. Are we going to report whatever defense Sarno and his codefendants offer, as well as the background of some of the prosecution witnesses? Sure. That's our job, too. Mike Sarno has an excellent attorney, so it should make for an interesting trial.
Does the file on Sarno reflect he worked at Al Piamonti Ford in Melrose Park once?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There's nothing in the files that shows this.
it really sounds like the sunday article was to get potential jurors to think this guy is a horrible person good timing on the article your parents should be proud. remember the scene from the godfather....michael corleone says to tom hagen "we have reporters on the payroll right, lets have them smear his name all over the papers" you may be fooling some people but not everyone!!!!
STEVE WARMBIR REPLIES: Not at all. We routinely write about important trials a day or two before they start and focus on the major defendants. Everything in the story about Mr. Sarno is in the public record, and he admitted to his crimes in the past. You may be unfamiliar with the federal criminal court system. The judge will surely ask potential jurors if they are familiar with the case or have read anything about it. The vast majority of them will have no clue about the case or Mr. Sarno, in particular, and those will be the people who will be seated as jurors. I'd also note that I quoted in the story at length several positive letters about Mr. Sarno and his character, as well as attempted to contact his attorneys to see if they wanted to say anything on his behalf. I'm familiar with the scene from "The Godfather," and would just note, you know, it's a movie. Thanks for reading the Chicago Sun-Times.